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Chapter 145
Section 145.902
Topics
Recent History
- 2020 Subd. 3 Amended 2020 c 2 art 8 s 29
- 2012 145.902 Amended 2012 c 216 art 2 s 1
- 2000 145.902 New 2000 c 421 s 1
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
145.902 SAFE PLACE FOR NEWBORNS; HOSPITAL DUTIES; IMMUNITY.
Subdivision 1. General. (a) A hospital licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56 shall receive
a newborn left with a hospital employee on the hospital premises, provided that:
(1) the newborn was born within 72 hours of being left at the hospital, as determined within a
reasonable degree of medical certainty; and
(2) the newborn is left in an unharmed condition.
(b) The hospital must not inquire as to the identity of the mother or the person leaving the
newborn or call the police, provided the newborn is unharmed when presented to the hospital. The
hospital may ask the mother or the person leaving the newborn about the medical history of the
mother or newborn but the mother or the person leaving the newborn is not required to provide
any information. The hospital may provide the mother or the person leaving the newborn with
information about how to contact relevant social service agencies.
Subd. 2. Reporting. Within 24 hours of receiving a newborn under this section, the hospital
must inform the local welfare agency that a newborn has been left at the hospital, but must not do
so before the mother or the person leaving the newborn leaves the hospital.
Subd. 3. Immunity. (a) A hospital with responsibility for performing duties under this
section, and any employee, doctor, or other medical professional working at the hospital, are
immune from any criminal liability that otherwise might result from their actions, if they are
acting in good faith in receiving a newborn, and are immune from any civil liability that otherwise
might result from merely receiving a newborn.
(b) A hospital performing duties under this section, or an employee, doctor, or other medical
professional working at the hospital who is a mandated reporter under section 626.556, is immune
from any criminal or civil liability that otherwise might result from the failure to make a report
under that section if the person is acting in good faith in complying with this section.
History: 2000 c 421 s 1
Subdivision 1. General. (a) A hospital licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56 shall receive
a newborn left with a hospital employee on the hospital premises, provided that:
(1) the newborn was born within 72 hours of being left at the hospital, as determined within a
reasonable degree of medical certainty; and
(2) the newborn is left in an unharmed condition.
(b) The hospital must not inquire as to the identity of the mother or the person leaving the
newborn or call the police, provided the newborn is unharmed when presented to the hospital. The
hospital may ask the mother or the person leaving the newborn about the medical history of the
mother or newborn but the mother or the person leaving the newborn is not required to provide
any information. The hospital may provide the mother or the person leaving the newborn with
information about how to contact relevant social service agencies.
Subd. 2. Reporting. Within 24 hours of receiving a newborn under this section, the hospital
must inform the local welfare agency that a newborn has been left at the hospital, but must not do
so before the mother or the person leaving the newborn leaves the hospital.
Subd. 3. Immunity. (a) A hospital with responsibility for performing duties under this
section, and any employee, doctor, or other medical professional working at the hospital, are
immune from any criminal liability that otherwise might result from their actions, if they are
acting in good faith in receiving a newborn, and are immune from any civil liability that otherwise
might result from merely receiving a newborn.
(b) A hospital performing duties under this section, or an employee, doctor, or other medical
professional working at the hospital who is a mandated reporter under section 626.556, is immune
from any criminal or civil liability that otherwise might result from the failure to make a report
under that section if the person is acting in good faith in complying with this section.
History: 2000 c 421 s 1
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Revisor of Statutes